Car-coupling



(No Model.)

W. H. BURWELL. GAR GOUPLING.

No. 411,236. Patented. Sept. 1'7, 1889.

U 11/ WITNESSES: E IIWE/VTOI? 2 372-5- WLLiAMH.EURWEL I...

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

\VILLIAM I-IIX BURVELL, OF SPARTA, GEORGIA.

CAR-CCU PLI NG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,236, dated September 17, 1889.

' Application filed June 19, 1889. Serial No. 314,858. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM I-IIX BUR- WELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Sparta, in the county of Hancock and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CarCouplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices for coupling cars, and has more particular reference to that class of car-couplings in which the action is automatic as regards coupling, and which may be disengaged either from the top or sides of the car. i

The device consists in a novel form of hook, and of means of securing same to the car and of operating said hook when so secured, the details of all of which will be hereinafter fully described, and the parts claimed as new pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device attached to its place on a car, and showing means for uncoupling the cars from the top or either side of the car. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device, showing the hook and the lugs on said hook and on the interior of the draw-head, whereby its motion is limited downwardly. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device, showingby means of the breaking away of the side the interior construction, as seen from this point of view. Fig. 4 is an end view of the device showing the position normally of the hook, and further showing the preferred form of draw-head wherein said hook is pivoted. Fig. 5 shows two draw-heads coupled together, showing the relative positions assumed by the parts when so coupled, the draw-heads being on a level with each other. Fig. 6 shows one of the hooks just ascending the incline of the other, the ascending one being a trifle above the stationary one in position. Fig. 7 shows the action of the two hooks when there is considerable difference in their relative height. Fig. 8 shows still further difference in their height.

Fig. 9 shows the relative position assumed by the hooks when coupled, the draw-heads be ing in the position that will hold the hooks on the levels shown in Fig. 9, the under hook rising in this case. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal central section through the draw-head, showin g the manner of pivoting the link for use in coupling with the ordinary link-and-pin coupling. Fig. ll is a top view, in central section, of a port-ion of the draw-head, showing the plan of the link and further showing its pivotal bearing therein.

In the figures, like reference-marks indicating corresponding parts in the several views, A is the draw-head and B the hook, while 0 is the draw-bar and I) the lugs on the hook, and D those on the draw-head, whereby the downward motion of the hook is limited. The draw-head A may be of any form, so long as it is adapted to contain the parts which it is desired to place therein, and has the lugs D on its inner sides, on which rest the lugs D on the sides of the hook B when said hook B is in its normal position, the downward movement beyond a given point, which is an approximately horizontal position of said hook, thus being prevented. The hook B is secured to the draw-head A in any desired manner; but it is preferably attached substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which it is secured therein by means of apin passing through a hole in the enlarged back end of said hook and through both sides of the draw-head, and being either riveted or having a head and screw-threaded nut on either end to prevent its withdrawal. The hook B has means I) for the attachment of the desired device for raising the said hook, which would preferably consist of the shaft E, attached to which is the lever e, which is connected with the hook by the link d. The chain F is attached also to the said lever c When it is desired that the coupling shall be capable of operation from the top of the car.

The draw-head at its front end is open at both top and bottom, in order that any foreign substance droppinginto said draw-head will pass through and not obstruct the operation of the parts therein.

In Figs. 10 and 11 is shown the device which is attached to the draw-head for the purpose of forming a link with which to couple with the ordinary link-and-pin coupling. This link G is pivoted in the mouth of'the drawhead in such a position as to swing freely from a Vertical position, Which is its normal position, to the position it assumes when coupled to another draw-head-that is, approximately horizontalthe pin g pivoting said link in its position in the draw-head. This link G may be of any form that will allow it to be pivoted as described, and to enter the mouth of the draw-head to which it is desired to couple in the ordinary manner.

In coupling with this device, the hook which is in the highest draw-head will ascend theincline on the top of the other, and as soon as it has passed the highest point thereon will drop, and by reason of the backward inclination of the two Working-faces when under draft no disengagement thereof is possible. To uncouple, slack is given thedraw-head and the upper hook is lifted by the desired means, and

the car which it is desired to move is pulled away.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1'. In a car-coupling, the double hook B, provided with lugs D D, substantially as shown, and for the purpose specified.

2. In a car-coupling, draw-head A, double hook B, and lugs D and D, all combined, arranged, and operating substantially as shown and set forth.

In a car-coupling, the combination of the draw-head A, hook B, and link G, all combined and operating substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. WILLIAM HIX BURWELL. Witnesses:

- J. D. BURNETT,

FRANK L. LITTLE. 

